Tholu Bommalata

Tholu Bommalata is the traditional shadow puppetry art of Andhra Pradesh. This form of art originated during the Satavahana period in 200 BCE.
These puppets made of leather are painted with locally made natural dyes according to the nature of the roles.
In the year 2008, the village Nimmalkunta of Andhra Pradesh was awarded Geographical Indication for this puppetry.
Shadow puppetry has been used for centuries to spread awareness regarding social and moral values through the stories of Ramayana and Mahabharata.